Re: FYF 2014

1. Darkside
2. FlyLo
3. Chet Faker
4. Todd
5. Caribou

I spent a lot of time in the arena, i left for a few minutes after Todd and quickly realized what a shitty decision that was considering how long that line was to get back in the arena. That whole bs with the arena staff telling us we "have to leave then re-enter the arena" was most likely the best example for how out of touch this staff was. Instead of indivually letting people know thay have to leave why not use the fucking a stage and let everyone know what the plan is, needless to say, these yellow shirted idiots were brushed aside by my girlfriend and I.

On sunday I witnessed the random shakedowns of folks on the lawn stage and the trees, security walking through a dancing crowd looking for any person with a hint of periphenalia. During FlyLo i watched three yellow shirts approach a kid smoking, tell him to put it out, empty his pockets, open his wallet, pat him down, right in the crowd. To my knowledge any search like that can be conducted on site but not in the field in this way, would anyone else really just let one of these yellow shirt fuckheads rifle through your wallet during a set only to "let you go" after? I was never approached once during the weekend by security but what I saw them doing to other absolutely made me more cautious.

Re: FYF 2014

Originally Posted by blazin

Anyone notice that the GV booth was packed up by around 7 each day? It seemed like they wanted to distance themselves completely from this shit show, despite the fact that they (the company, obviously not the interns collecting entry forms) were probably largely responsible for the poor decisions that were made.

And to everyone who intentionally cut the line, a heartfelt FUCK YOU from my four friends and I, who tried NOT being assholes and spent an extra hour or so in line while everyone who showed up after us decided they were too important to wait.

I for one think i may have cut a lot of people on the first day, i parked on the main stage side and walked straight towards the entrance with a crowd not knowing that there were hundreds of people waiting around behind us. I was definetly not trying to be an asshole, a lot of peeps just didn't know what in the fuck was going on, I certainly did not.

Re: FYF 2014

Originally Posted by dillycup

I for one think i may have cut a lot of people on the first day, i parked on the main stage side and walked straight towards the entrance with a crowd not knowing that there were hundreds of people waiting around behind us. I was definetly not trying to be an asshole, a lot of peeps just didn't know what in the fuck was going on, I certainly did not.

So, heres a heartfelt SORRY.

It's understandable that lots of people just went with the flow, and ended up cutting inadvertently. My comment was for those who have stated that they knew about the line and were "smart enough" or whatever to avoid it by simply cutting. The venue staff is as much to blame as anyone. Our frustration was due to exiting the train at Vermont, and then walking 9/10 of a mile just to get in line and turn around to go almost back where we started to get to the security plaza, while hearing of & witnessing hundreds or thousands of people saying "fuck this, I'm not waiting."

Re: FYF 2014

Barely went into the arena (especially after seeing the cluster on Saturday) - to everyone who was at Darkside, I salute you, b/c I'm sure you had a great time AND Murder City Devils was wiiide open to hang at (fun set).

1. Blood Brothers (almost by default, they haven't played in 7ish years and are more vicious - to me - than a band like Deafheaven).
2. POTUS (cannot believe I actually saw them...loved how they basically own the "we're a 90's cover band" tag - didn't stop me from getting down to Lump/Peaches/Kitty/Boll Weevil for the first and probably only time)
3. Run the Jewels (so good, more of this at Coachella after they release the next album?)
4. Interpol (cranked the hits, sounded great, huge crowd)
5. Balance and Composure/La Dispute (both sounded great, solid FYF bands)
HM: Little Dragon (only b/c I thought I would hate them but, from the craft beer garden in the back trying to avoid the heat, they were absolutely serviceable)

Daniel Avery was a nice break on Saturday as well. Slint was loud as hell. Slowdive sounded fantastic, wish I would have caught the whole set but RTJ was probably more "fun". Who am I kidding, if the lineup is good next year I will go, but will definitely remember this year and its problems.

Re: FYF 2014

1. Darkside

2. Slowdive
3. Strokes
4. Phoenix
5. POTUSA

Pros:
- The Arena looked awesome.
- The sound on every stage was near perfect.
- Fun crowd. Mostly everyone I encountered was friendly and just wanted to have a good time.
- Darkside's set. Top 3 live sets I've ever seen.
- Goddamn Slowdive sounded awesome.

Cons:
- Who made the Hitler Youth in charge of security? Saturday's security checks were among the worst I've ever had.
- Logistic issues. Stages were too far apart.
- Getting into the Arena.
- Where was the free ice cream?
- The fest felt overcrowded.

Overall, I had an awesome time and I can't wait to see what next year FYF has to offer.

Re: FYF 2014

Originally Posted by blazin

It's understandable that lots of people just went with the flow, and ended up cutting inadvertently. My comment was for those who have stated that they knew about the line and were "smart enough" or whatever to avoid it by simply cutting. The venue staff is as much to blame as anyone. Our frustration was due to exiting the train at Vermont, and then walking 9/10 of a mile just to get in line and turn around to go almost back where we started to get to the security plaza, while hearing of & witnessing hundreds or thousands of people saying "fuck this, I'm not waiting."

hope you still had a good weekend brother, no matter how much incompetency was forced upon you by the wretched fyf staff

I think due to the placement of trees and other park amenities, a festival the size of last year's FYF (which was almost half the size of this years) wouldn't even be possible. They need a big open field (like a polo field) and I don't think this park will work ever again, after the renovation.

Well boo Is there another spot that would be suitable in or around downtown? I'm not that familiar with the area.

Re: FYF 2014

On Sunday was anyone forced to throw away their BRAND NEW, SEALED bottle of water that was just handed to them less than 5 minutes prior by the FYF staff themselves? I drank mine before getting to the gate but the person in front of me didn't and was asked to throw his away. I took it from the security guard before he threw it away and drank the whole thing while i was getting patted down because I hate seeing things get wasted like that... definitely regretted that decision about an hour later but WTF.

Re: FYF 2014

Sunday was miles better than Saturday, but having this be my first FYF, I'm not automatically sold on going again next year. The line-up was so solid, but really stage placements and the arena mishandling was such an issue. I felt so exhausted by the end of both nights, which I think can be attributed to the Lawn > Main > Lawn marathon walks.

Once inside though, the arena was probably my favorite stage. Some acts just lend themselves well to dark and atmospheric environments, and obviously having this as a temporary venue, this type of production won't be recreated in future iterations of the festival.
I was hardcore dozing off in the seated section on Sunday during Les Sins though. Something about a nice cushy seat in a cool environment was so conducive for nap time.

Also:
1) Slowdive - This was my everything-is-coming-together-moment of the fest. The music, the lighting, everything framed by dusk and that hint of a cool breeze cutting through the air, Machine Gun playing. Despite all the tomfoolery of Saturday, this was that little diamond in the rough. Some sets you watch you forget immediately, but this will be etched for a while in my head.
2) Blood Orange - Perfectly timed as well. Devonte Hynes is the shit. Probably one of the last Blood Orange sets in a while, comparable to the first time I caught them at GAMH, which is to say, fantastic.
3) FlyLo - Unexpectedly, this was also pretty fucking rad.
4) Tycho - Always goes down so smoove.
5) Slint - Washer. That is all.

HM: Ryan Hemsworth. Also Jessy Lanza and Kelela repped that nu-RB thing going on a la Banks and FKA. Shout-out to Kelela who said a year and a half ago she was selling Solar at a call center in the Valley.

I drove in both days and ponied up the $20 at Parking Structure A at USC (36th and Vermont-ish). No problems both days.

Re: FYF 2014

1. Presidents of the United States of America
2. DARKSIDE
3. Ty Segall
4. Blood Brothers
5. The Bronx

HM: Joyce Manor, Slowdive, Joanna Gruesome, Against Me!

Angel Olsen was excellent but she didn't play any of my favorite songs from the new album. I thought the Trees stage was by far the best of the weekend, it was the only stage that really felt like the old FYF. On Saturday I had almost given up on the festival completely, I was pleasantly surprised by how smoothly everything ran on Sunday. The sound was really great at every stage, the only set that had problems was Deafheaven, which was terrible.

Re: FYF 2014

Originally Posted by bobert

They made us work for it, but the music was fantastic so I'm willing to forgive the other bullshit.

What a strange sentiment. The ticket price and traveling to get there (particularly the attendees who traveled considerable distances), should be the most amount of "work" necessary to enjoy any festival. And I agree with Drinkey re: forgiveness/"acceptable" just because they fixed things Sunday that should have already been in place in Saturday. And the craft beer garden running out of beer on Sunday sucked, we walked all the way over there at 9:00 for nothing. I wish I had ran into more friends and boardies and agree that the layout made it far more difficult for random run-ins. The increased capacity/size was a bit overwhelming for me, it felt like a LOT of people. Personally, I feel like a need a strong aesthetic reward for dealing with larger festivals/crowds: at Coachella you've got the sunsets and palm trees, at OSL you're in gorgeous GG park, and at LA Historic Park last year seeing the sunset over the LA city skyline during Deerhunter is one of my most memorable festival moments. I didn't have anything like that at the new location this year.

I'm still really happy at how great the actual make up of the crowd at FYF remained this year, everyone around me at every set was respectful and into the music. Grimes, Slowdive, and Daphni were the stand out acts for me this year. Todd Terje was good, but I enjoyed his set at Movement in 2012 more. Daniel Avery was a total disappointing snooze and I got into Darkside late and was up at the top row of seats so I wasn't really able to get into the groove. I wish I had ventured back over to the arena for the end of Caribou and Four Tet but the entire Todd debacle left me completely unmotivated. Oh, and the partial sets I saw of Slint, Presidents, and DJ Harvey were all really good as well. No doubt it's a well curated festival with fantastic sound and top notch performances, but that doesn't at all excuse its logistical flaws. I can't see myself returning if it's at the same venue.

Re: FYF 2014

I like how the 'Mac Demarco' hat has officially become the look of choice amongst the youth. It's the new Indian headrest. If I had a nickel for every time I spotted a kid with this look...

Completely agree.

Rough year this year... The venue was a complete nightmare. I hope they figure out a new place to have the fest or I doubt I make it back. I had a great time on Sunday but Saturday was a complete shitshow. The walk from the Lawn to the Arena was terrible. I left at about 11:20 each day to beat the massive crowds and because I didn't feel like walking back over to the other side of the venue.

1. Darkside - ridiculous set. Got on the floor at the end of Daniel Avery (who I thought sounded great for the 10 minutes I heard). But yeah Darkside was too good I was getting down.
2. Kindness - I definitely expected to love this set but they blew away expectations.
3. Flying Lotus - New stuff sounded insane, visuals were out of control.
4. Run the Jewels - They're just too good. I can't wait for the new album.
5. Boris - Never seen them before. Them and RTJ pretty much saved Saturday.

All in all I had a good time and the crowds were all very respectful and quiet for the most part. People were getting down for Darkside and FlyLo which was good to see. Not so much at Kindness but I think most of the people in the front were there for Mac Demarco. I thought he was whatever. I thought I would dig it live but after the groovy shit Kindess was throwing down I couldn't get into it at all.

Re: FYF 2014

Originally Posted by grichsgang

It was nice you finally, Jorge, CaseSensitive and Drinkey. My son and I sat with one other very nice boardie and his equally nice friends, but his user name (and real name) drowned in the stout that was 5th on the lineup that afternoon.

Aww, I didn't meet any boardies. I think you meant someone else?

He sold his soul for a shot at fame
Catchphrase and wigs and the jokes are lame...

Re: FYF 2014

Well at least some people didn't forget about the Blood Brothers Only couple more weeks till I get to see them again!

But as far as the best rock band of the weekend, they popped up about a half hour later. The Blood Brothers’ reunion show—their first gig since 2007—managed to draw an impressive crowd opposite Haim, who worked the hometown advantage. And rubberneckers had about the same reaction that Blood Brothers inspired in their heydey: What the fuck is this? The band was just as vicious and inscrutable as they were a decade previous. So while FYF was mostly the sound of what “indie rock” thinks people want, this is what it needs.

The Blood Brothers disbanded in 2007, making their announcement that they'd play FYF this year a big deal. They did not seem out of practice, however; after powering through beloved tracks like "Set Fire to the Face on Fire," vocalists Jordan Blilie and Johnny Whitney closed the set with a giant bear hug, which seemed to indicate that the Blood Bros are as tight as ever. -Artemis Thomas-Hansard

I'm pretty sure when I went in 2012, the capacity was less than 20,000...

Re: FYF 2014

I'm glad I'm not the only who was completely miserable on Saturday.
However, DARKSIDE and The Strokes made up for it.
I'm a little bummed I had to sit for DARKSIDE, but whatever, I squirmed like a fool in my seat.
Did anyone else see the dude who completely passed out and was dragged out during the start of the Strokes? :/

Re: FYF 2014

It's was a beautiful sight to stop my dancing to aknowledge the draw DARKSIDE had in that arena all the way up to the furthest seating. They would never have that pull at a stand alone gig of their own.

I would never want to belong to any club that would have someone like me for a member...

Re: FYF 2014

So sure it was nice that they fixed a lot for Sunday... but the Arena still ended up being a shit show to get in to later in the evening... thus preventing me from seeing Darkside, who were one of the two acts I most wanted to see on Sunday... And, unfortunately those two overlapped... so I could have possibly gotten down there if I went early, but would have had to sacrifice Blood Orange in the process... Don't know if it was easier for Talabot or Jamie XX... but after Darkside was a bust, we pretty much decided to leave after we caught the few minutes of HAIM my friend needed to see (was a work related thing... not out of any interest in the band or their musical output)

Also VIP was pretty much useless this year (whereas it was almost a necessity last year)... Saturday it didn't have a separate entrance at all, just a separate search line.. So you still had to go through the long assed line to get to the search tents... and while they sort of added a separate entrance on Sunday, it wasn't really needed... And just the one "VIP" area inside with super limited options...

All in all, I have to say that the most enjoyment I got out of the weekend was really driven by the crew I was with. As a result, I've pretty much decided that I am not going to go next year unless they are back at the old venue or there is someone I absolutely can not miss and would have no other chance to see on the bill.

Re: FYF 2014

I suppose that given the venue change and FYF's track-record the logistical nightmares were to be expected, but as others have mentioned a lot of them were really just inexcusable and rather amateurish; yes, they made some positive changes for Sunday, but those changes really should have already been in place before the fest even started. Missing Terje was a really, really big bummer, and while I'm sure it's just wishful thinking on my part I'd love for FYF/GV to bring him back to LA sometime soon for a headlining show of his own.

What was not surprising, though, was the quality of the music each day, and that's what makes me stop short of flat-out saying I won't be back if they do it there again next year. I too found the sound at each stage to be spot-on, although the vocals were a bit low for a few of the acts I caught over the two days; I also thought Slowdive could have been just a touch louder, but that's just nitpicking more than anything. Favorite sets (in no particular order) include:

Slowdive
Built to Spill
Kindness
Slint
DJ Harvey

Originally Posted by roberto73

I'd contribute to this discussion but I'm still busy reminiscing about the halcyon days of punk. You know, the mid-90s.